Olympic champion swimmer Sun Yang's doctor handed new ban

Sun Yang

Beijing, May 9 (IANS)

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) on Saturday imposed a new ban on Ba Zhen, Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang's doctor, for breaking rules during his suspension.

Ba had been under a one-year ban when he was spotted assisting the world 1,500 metres record holder at the 2014 Asian Games where the Chinese won three gold medals, reports Xinhua.

The Chinese Swimming Association has ordered that Ba's one year suspension from swimming, which should have ended on May 16, now go on to September 27, FINA said in a statement. "The China Swimming Association has decided to recount the suspension period of this physician," said FINA.

FINA said Ba violated the rules "by travelling on a private basis to the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon and by helping to rehabilitate his athlete during that competition. This was done without the previous knowledge or consent from the Chinese National Swimming team officials".

"Therefore, Dr. Ba Zhen is sanctioned with a new suspension period, this time from September 28, 2014 to September 27, 2015," the statement added.

Sun tested positive for the stimulant trimetazidine. Ba, as a member of Sun's entourage, received a one-year ban.